Taqueria La Hacienda

I am waiting in line for lunch at Taqueria La Hacienda, and the pressure is on. Should I order a roast-pork burrito stuffed with seasoned shredded pork, rice, cilantro, and chopped onion? Or a carne asada quesadilla, the chunks of grilled steak served in a cheesy toasted tortilla with rice and beans? If I go either of those routes, it will mean missing the alambres—spicy pork that’s been grilled on a small spit and tossed with bacon, onion, and peppers, then tucked onto a corn tortilla topped with cheese.

In the end, I decide on a Milanese torta—breaded steak served on a grilled bun with mayo, tomato, avocado, lettuce, jalapeños, refried beans, and chunks of cheese. (I’m not sure Mexico knows what they eat in Milan.) I added a platter of the thick-cut tortilla chips with a side of chunky guacamole. Nothing on the menu costs more than $8, so you can add a churro or flan for dessert or satisfy your sweet tooth with one of the Mexican sodas—pineapple’s my personal favorite. 

211 E. Lake St., Mpls., 612-822-2715; Mercado Central, 1515 E. Lake Street, Mpls.